Jean Valjean

Convict released after nineteen years for stealing bread; steals silver from a bishop who has shown him hospitality; caught, the bishop tells the police he gave the silver freely and adds the candlesticks; the mercy reorders the man for life; relentlessly hunted by Javert, he saves enemies and adopts an orphan; dies forgiven. Failure mode: Was caught in the act and did not deserve the mercy. Restoration path: Receive a mercy that does not fit you; let it reorder the rest of your life. Markers: released hardened; accepted hospitality, betrayed it; mercy worth more than the theft; reorders the entire life; saves the persecutor — Jean Valjean, Hugo, Les Misérables (Literature)